NJ Health Commissioner: Take First COVID Vaccine You Can Get

TRENTON, NJ — Please take the first coronavirus vaccine that is offered to you, New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said Monday during the governor's press conference.

As the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrived in New Jersey last week, state health officials said they are noticing a disturbing new trend: People who have secured a coveted vaccine appointment are now calling and canceling, asking if they can get the Johnson & Johnson shot instead of the Moderna or Pfizer shot.

"We're getting reports of individuals canceling their appointments for the Moderna or Pfizer and asking to wait until they can receive the J&J vaccine," Persichilli said Monday.

"If you chose to wait for the J&J vaccine, you will go back into the queue," she said sternly. "If that is your choice, we respect that. However, as public health experts, including Dr. Fauci have said, we urge individuals to take the first vaccine that becomes available to them. We urge you if you have an appointment, please consider getting vaccinated."

Persichilli did not give a reason why New Jersey residents seem to prefer the J&J shot. However, it may be because it is only one dose, instead of two.

Also, some people have reported body aches, fevers, extreme fatigue and more after getting the second Moderna/Pfizer shot.

The first round of the J&J shot, which Merck is now helping to manufacture, was delivered to New Jersey last week. However, additional new shipments of the Johnson & Johnson shot will not be coming to New Jersey for three more weeks, said the health commissioner.

Persichilli stressed that all three vaccines are effective at protecting against severe hospitalization and death from COVID.

"It is an amazing scientific achievement that three safe and effective vaccines are available to the residents of our state," she said Monday. "With the arrival of the J&J vaccine in the state state last week, there is a lot of interest in that vaccine."

She also said the state is continuing to monitor the effect of the UK variant and the Brazil variant, both which are in the state of New Jersey.

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